The fewer miles it takes to get food from the farm to a restaurant, the better it is for the enviornment. Over 25% of greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) says. A large chunk of those emissions comes from the transportation of food.

Locally produced food has less bad stuff in it

Buying produce at one’s local farmer’s market is preferable to shopping at a chain grocery store, where food is often imported from unknown, far away places.

Farmers who sell food close to their land don’t need to use as many preservatives.

Eating locally produced foods helps your neighbors

Do you really want to help Target reap more profits? Or would you rather help the people you see every day on the street?

Rosenfeld says, “Local food and local businesses are an experience that cannot be replicated online and through big box stores.”

You can make friends at a place like the Heartland. Social interactions, according to many studies, are an important part of a healthy mental state. When was the last time you struck up a conversation with someone at Walmart?